Nanda Poort-Rammers Twin Rivers Home Interiors
The last Green Collar Jobs Q&A for 2009 is with Interior Designer Nanda Poort-Rammers. Nanda runs interior design company Twin Rivers Home Interiors which has a focus on making quality, comfortable and beautiful living spaces that are sustainable and low impact on the environment. She is currently helping out SIFT CEO Linda Norris with a few new changes to her home.
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
I have a vegetable garden, a compost heap, try to be mindful with electricity use by turning off lights and computer when not in use, I am going to have double glazed windows installed in my home to save energy. I buy good quality products because I believe less rubbish will end up in the landfills. Good quality products will last longer.
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
I am an interior designer so very much aware of sustainability in and around the house. In my office I’ve used no toxic, water based lime paint that is an Environmental Choice Australia product and my office chair is made with strong eco friendly fabric and the base can be re-used again. I try to specify products that are eco friendly and sustainable for my clients.
3.What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
The rubbish that ends up in the landfills. The electricity use. New Zealand exists out of islands, the wind is always blowing, it is free and I can’t understand why we do not build wind farms to generate electricity and save energy?
4. What makes you smile?
My daughter, my husband, my work and to be able to do the things I love.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Dishonest people.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
I have several; Green because it is peacful and red because it is warm and cosy and they are opposites.
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why.
New Zealand, because I live here. The Dolomites in Italy because I always went there for tramping and skiing and Denmark because I used to go there on holidays with my parents when I was a child.
8. What is your connection to SIFT?
I am an Interior Designer and have my own company, Twin Rivers Home Interiors. I help Linda Norris with the renovation of her home. It is going to be beautiful.
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
Simon Green, he was the teacher of my daughter at Primary School. He is amazing; he gives children self confidence and the ability and drive to perform well at school and in life.
10. What do you want to leave behind?
That I have lived intensely and have made my dreams come true.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
We are going to build our own home with a view in the mountains; I will live there with my family and dogs and enjoy life.
12. Who is aomeone you really admire and why?
I am sorry, but myself. Because of everything I have achieved over the last couple of years since I have arrived in this country and have been able to become a New Zealand resident. And this was not an easy task.
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
My dogs sit underneath my window on the veranda, the sun shines, and I can see my garden and the foothills in the distance, I can hear the Nor’Wester. It is quite peaceful out here.
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
The darkest brown bread with Dutch cheese, yoghurt and tea.
15. What is the bset piece of advice you can give us?
Only do the things your heart is in and you really love!
Here’s last Monday’s GreenBiz Plains FM podcast with Hairdresser Chris Wood who knows a lot about eco-living, sustainability, permaculture. Great to talk to an everyday person who is making a difference with the way he lives.
